Master Football Skills: Learn Showboating Tricks from Legends

Football enthusiasts looking to add some flair to their game can now learn from the best, thanks to a new guide from The Athletic. The feature delves into the techniques behind some of football’s most iconic showboating skills, drawing inspiration from legends like Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Kerlon, with practical tutorials provided by YouTuber Eman SV2 and former professional footballer Lee Trundle.

The ‘How To Series’ aims to demystify complex freestyle moves, making them accessible to players of all levels. It highlights how these skills, often seen in exhibition matches or street football, can even be incorporated into competitive play.

Maradona’s Iconic Warm-up

The guide revisits the legendary 1989 warm-up by Diego Maradona before a UEFA Cup semi-final for Napoli. Footage shows the Argentinian maestro effortlessly balancing a ball on his head and juggling to the tune of “Live is Life,” an iconic moment that inspired many. This warm-up routine, dubbed the ‘Maradona 7,’ involves keeping the ball airborne using both feet, thighs, shoulders, and head in a specific sequence. The article notes that mastering this routine and executing it ten times consecutively without dropping the ball was a benchmark for skill, with a former world record for the feat standing just under 30 seconds.

Ronaldinho and the ‘Around the World’

Ronaldinho, known for his mesmerizing skill and joy on the ball, is also a central figure. The guide touches upon his association with Nike commercials and the popularization of the ‘around the world’ skill. This move, which involves flicking one foot around the ball while keeping it airborne, is presented as being on the lower end of the difficulty scale, achievable with practice. The article recalls Ronaldinho’s flawless execution of the skill in a 2003 Nike advert and later in a memorable crossbar challenge video.

The ‘Sombrero Flick’ Explained

The ‘sombrero flick,’ a skill where the ball is lifted over an opponent’s head, is explored in two contexts: its in-game application, exemplified by Nico Paz and Neymar Jr., and its freestyle interpretation. The freestyle version, as explained by Eman SV2, begins with the ball on the ground and requires two touches with the same foot to lift it over the head, with a distinctive “jig” in between.

Origin of the AKKA 3000

The guide also sheds light on the origins of the AKKA 3000, a trick created by Dutch street footballer Issy “Hitman” Hamdaoui at the age of 14. Initially dismissed by some, the trick gained viral fame after its inclusion in the FIFA Street 2 video game. The name “Akka,” meaning “hook” in Surinamese, is explained as a nod to the trick’s motion.

Tutorials from the Experts

Eman SV2 and Lee Trundle provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations for these and other skills, encouraging readers to practice and develop their own ball-juggling abilities. The article suggests that mastering these techniques can not only enhance individual skill but also contribute to the entertainment value of the game.

Key facts
| Skill | Originator/Icon | Key Element |
|——————–|—————————–|————————————————|
| Maradona 7 | Diego Maradona | Ball control using feet, thighs, shoulders, head |
| Around the World | Ronaldinho (popularized) | Flicking foot around the ball in a circle |
| Sombrero Flick | N/A (in-game/freestyle) | Lifting ball over opponent/head |
| AKKA 3000 | Issy “Hitman” Hamdaoui | A hooking motion with the ball |

This content offers FootballGames10 readers a chance to engage with the artistry of football beyond match results, providing practical guidance for those interested in improving their technical skills and understanding the heritage of football’s most entertaining players.

Source: The Athletic Football – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7347610/2026/06/21/ronaldinho-maradona-skills-tutorial-kerlon-showboat-freestyle/

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